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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Dave Kluge, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
In practice this week, first-round pick Fernando Mendoza continued improving by building connections with multiple receivers. Despite conflicting reports, Mendoza is currently the team's backup quarterback, though head coach Klint Kubiak has given no reason to believe that can't change. In media availability this week, Kubiak told reporters, "It doesn't matter, they've all got to get ready. Whoever is playing quarterback for us, it's a team thing." He also noted, "It's baptism by fire every day at all positions, especially a rookie quarterback. So, I see an improving player that we've just got to keep being hard on and getting better." Kubiak was also coy about how he sees the quarterback situation heading into the season. "We've got three guys that are ready to play. It's going to be some hard decisions on who's 1, who's 2. That's not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing." In the team's preseason game against the 49ers, both quarterbacks played. Kirk Cousins started and went 8 of 11 for 51 yards, while Mendoza came in for relief and went 7 of 14 for 57 yards and an interception. Aidan O'Connell and Jacob Clark also played briefly.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Arguably the league's biggest news this week was the injury to starting running back Ashton Jeanty during Sunday's practice. Jeanty was diving for a catch, got his legs caught up with a defender, and went down. Training staff helped him to the sideline, and he couldn't put weight on his leg. When asked about the injury, head coach Klint Kubiak didn't give much of an answer, saying, "Again, Ashton got hurt in practice, and the whole team took a knee. I think that says a lot about him being on the mend and us counting on him." The injury opens more opportunities for camp standout Mike Washington Jr., who is drawing high praise from his head coach. "Washington has done a phenomenal job of growing up really fast, He got here, we drafted him, you come to the NFL, there's a lot on your plate and then we throw all these new protections at you, these new fronts and blitzes and routes, and I think that he's a guy that understands that we are counting on him, and he needs to get up to speed quickly and he's been mature about that." Washington Jr. was used as the team's lead back in the preseason game and had a solid showing in limited action, rushing eight times for 49 yards and drawing one target in the passing game. Dare Ogunbowale served as the bell-cow back on the day with 10 carries for 37 yards. Dylan Laube and Roman Hemby also received opportunities, but neither produced anything of note.